THE GHOST
-3. Search For The Unseen King

Queen Mandira’s eyes were not teary but she appeared somber.  She got up from bed and began to walk in her chamber lost in deliberation.  As King Mahirat looked at her, he realized the injustice he had meted her.  Despite the fact that Mandira was very devoted and attached towards him, the King had fallen in love with another young Princess of a neighbouring kingdom and even had plans of marrying her.  He had discussed this with the Queen which had caused her much sorrow.  She had clearly expressed her displeasure to the King but still he had wanted to go ahead with his plans.   

As the King realized his various misdeeds, he began to feel that the sage had rightfully punished him with this curse.  Just then, a tall and sturdy looking man entered the chamber.  He was Veera, the royal cook.  Bowing low before the Queen, he spoke with reverence, “O Queen, all of us are worried about our King’s safety.  However, this does not mean that we should punish ourselves by staying hungry.  I know that I am too small a person to even make this request but still I will speak my mind.  Please do not spoil your health.  Do have something, O Queen!” 

Mandira slightly nodded in affirmation and the cook took his leave.  She, thereby, went to the dining hall. 

Now, even the King was feeling hungry.  When he was standing alone in the jungle of Champa with his horse, Chaitanya, he had pondered about the food he would be taking for these two months.  He had decided to survive only on fruits.  Mahirat went to the palace garden where variety of fruits grew in abundance.  He made sure that no one was around and ate some oranges, grapes and berries which, to an extent, satiated his appetite.  The King had a habit of immediately washing his mouth after taking food which otherwise made him feel very uncomfortable.  This feeling was persistent in him even on that day.  There was no dearth of water in the garden for a beautiful pond lay nearby.  The question was whether the curse would allow him to use this water for washing his mouth.  Although he was bereft of any hope, he still decided to give it a try.  He went to the pond, squatted and tried to take some water in his hands.  Alas!  His hands just passed by through the water!  Disappointment was writ large on his face.  Still, he did not feel like giving up.  He took the outer shell of an orange -which he had just eaten – in his hand, went to the pond and filled it with water!   Then, he tried to pour this water into his open mouth.  And lo!  The water just fell to the ground thereby rendering his efforts a waste!  Mahirat smiled wryly and put all the orange shells in a wooden box that was kept in the garden to dispose of waste.  He, then, returned to the Queen’s chamber and found that she had not yet returned.  He prayed to God that his Queen be given the strength to bear his loss for the next couple of months.  He also sought pardon for all the misdeeds he had committed in his life and made a resolute promise to mend ways from this very moment.  Just then, the Queen entered the chamber and once again started taking a stroll.  After a while, she retired to her inner chamber where she lay on bed and did not realize when she fell asleep.   The King sat beside her for some time and in his mind asked her to pardon him.  He, then, went to his own chamber to rest.  He left very uncomfortable to lie down without getting any feeling but owing to sheer fatigue fell asleep after some time.

King Mahirat woke up early the next morning and after his ablutions went to Mandira’s chambers.  At that time, she was in conversation with Aditya.  “…Alright!  While you continue your search in Champa, I would like to meet Sage Pariketu.”  She concluded. 

Both the King and Aditya were puzzled to hear this.   Aditya fell short of asking the Queen the reason for her visit and took his leave.  Mahirat knew that Sage Pariketu was the guru of his Queen.  Therefore, it could be that when the sage realized that he had cursed the husband of his very disciple, he started feeling guilty which was clearly evident in his face yesterday.  However, he could not comprehend this move of his Queen of meeting the sage.  Later, he felt that it could be that his Queen wanted to seek the help of the sage to know his whereabouts.  After all, the sage had such immense powers so as to see through both the past and the present.  The King decided to accompany Mandira in her journey.

In a short while, Mandira was taken in a chariot to Pariketu’s ashram accompanied by Mahirat.   The ashram was replete with greenery and was dotted with small cottages made of bamboos on either side.  While some children could be seen playing gleefully, some were practicing archery under the watchful eyes of their gurus.  In one corner, there were some sages who were involved in group discussion.  As soon as they saw the Queen they hurried to welcome her.  After exchanging greetings, Mandira learnt that Pariketu was in the Champa jungle meditating.  She took their leave and soon reached Champa where she found some horses standing at the jungle outskirts.  That was an indication that Aditya and his men were inside the jungle in quest for the King.  She waited patiently for them to return which they did after a long time.  Aditya was surprised to see the Queen.  “Maharani!”  He exclaimed. 

“Any news about the King?” Mandira asked eagerly.  At this, the minister shook his head in the negative and fell silent.  Mandira closed her eyes for a few moments.  All this while, King Mahirat continued to sit in the chariot and watched the proceedings like a mute spectator.  After all, there was nothing he could do but just watch!  The Queen then prodded, “Did you see Sage Pariketu?”  “Yes” admitted the minister, “We wanted to ask him if he knew anything about our King’s whereabouts.  However he was in deep meditation and we did not find it appropriate to disturb him.”  Mandira nodded in understanding and decided to return back to the palace. 

Aditya and his men even searched for the King in other jungles of the kingdom but in vain.  The news of the King’s disappearance spread like wildfire in the kingdom.  It assumed the mode of discussion of one and all.  Many believed that the King who had gone for hunting in that jungle had himself become the hunted.  They presumed that a wild animal may have killed him and then dropped his body in some gorge after dragging it.  There were others who were positive and expected the King to return back hale and hearty.  Some also believed that the King had secretly gone to meet his other love.  The Queen rubbished such a notion.  She felt that there was absolutely no need for a person of his stature to resort to such a practice.

Another rumour gained prominence that the King may have been held captive by his enemies.  The Queen was also worried about this aspect and asked her spies to be on their vigil and notify her if there was any credence to this theory.

 A couple of days passed by.  With the King showing no signs of returning, even those who had a positive outlook began to think otherwise.  Mandira yet again made attempts to contact Pariketu through Aditya but it served no purpose for he was still lost in meditation.  That evening the Queen asked all her ministers and subjects to gather in the Durbar for she had to make some announcement.  It was King Mahirat who entered the Durbar first.  It was a very spacious hall with shell tile flooring having a beautiful peacock mosaic ceiling that had architectural flower carvings towards the edges.  On either side of the durbar were seats made of silver for the palace dignitaries.  In the middle a red carpet was laid that went right up to the marble steps which led to a raised platform.  On this was a glittering throne that was where the King used to sit.  There was a sparkling large chandelier in the middle of the ceiling all of which gave the durbar a very rich splendor.  Mahirat walked to his throne.  How proud he had felt when he sat on it and looked at his people who stood in veneration for him!